UN warns emerging armies of drug addicts in Guinea-Bissau

Nov 5, 2009, 20:15 GMT

New York - Drug use by Guinea-Bissau's military has increased, which could result in 'armies of addicts' threatening security as well as development, the UN said Thursday.

Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, said drugs passing through West Africa are increasingly consumed locally in the region, contributing to the decline in drug seizure in Europe.

'This is not a problem unique to Bissau or Conakry,' Costa told the UN Security Council. 'The disastrous consequences of addition among the military have been experienced and addressed in other parts of the world - including rich countries.'

The problem in Guinea-Bissau is that it has only one drug treatment centre, he said.

Costa said West Africa had been a trafficking route for drug smugglers to Europe. But the significant drop in drug seizure in West Africa as well as in Europe in the past 18 months raised the issue of the drugs remaining in local markets.

Costa said the UN drug office and international police (Interpol) have been investigating numerous West African sites where large amount of chemical used in drug processing had been found.

'West Africa is now on the verge of becoming a source of drugs, not only a transit area,' he said. The situation spawned organized crime with indigenous roots.

Costa warned the drug problem is spreading beyond Guinea-Bissau's borders.

The 15-nation council was discussing the situation in Guinea-Bissau, from the economy to security, which has been aggravated by drug trafficking.